How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most popular breeds in America. They make great pets for families as well as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and helps keep the coat looking clean and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they do have a few health issues. Breeders with good reputations will test their dogs to prevent passing hereditary diseases to their puppies such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen are frequent problems in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive issues.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disorder that causes a drunken gait. It happens when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. Symptoms start with instability of the hindquarters, and then progress to weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments, which may involve medications, rehabilitation exercises or surgery can be found to aid your dog to live longer and live a more comfortable life.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can cause blindness if not treated properly. Your dog will need regular ocular examinations with your veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.
As with other large breeds, German Shepherds can be afflicted with heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and an array of foods that support heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can assess the heart and lungs of your puppy with a stethoscope during his yearly physical examination.
Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be done by taking them on multiple walks, and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies in an area that is safe and secure. It is best to avoid running, especially next to a jogger, or a bicycle as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their energy level adult German Shepherds require a bit of exercise a day to stay fit. Insurance for pets can be an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also provides peace of mind for you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the best treatment for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners and extremely capable of being trained. They take their jobs very seriously, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and dedication to work are provided with a means to express it. These pups, like all breeds, require continuous and intense training to keep an easy, calm demeanor and to be alert.
Training a German Shepherd is a team effort and should include the entire family. This is a very familial breed that will develop bonds with their main handler. It is important to begin training your puppy as early as you can to ensure that he can grow to be a good behaved companion.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and pick them up quickly. Their intelligence is high and can lead to a stubbornness however, if not properly directed. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand, and diminish any destructive behaviors that could arise as a result of their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are prone to be cautious of those who aren't members of their immediate family. They require socialization at a young age to limit the potential for aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They are also prone to prey drive and hunting, which can be exaggerated when not properly managed with regular positive socialization.
GSDs can be agitated or bark in response to a passing vehicle or pedestrians walking on the road or in a park. Although this could be a problem for some individuals, it's a normal behavior and should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to get along with. In turn, they will learn that being around humans and animals is enjoyable and not a danger.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. In this period they are exposed to their world and develop connections that influence how they view new experiences. This can last the rest of their life. So, it is important to expose them to new environments and people at an early age.
Your breeder should have initiated this for you, however once you have brought your puppy home it is your responsibility to carry on the process of building your puppy's confidence in meeting new people and experiences.
It is essential to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, secure environment where they will feel comfortable and not threatened. If they feel threatened or frightened, they will associate the experience with fear and will eventually be fearful of that particular thing for the rest of their lives. It is also important to shield them from the common mistake of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they are frightened because this could be perceived as rewarding their fearful behaviour - a sure way to create the habit of having phobias for life.
You can begin by ticking a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to settle down and concentrate on you when a dog is around. This will help them become a calm and peaceful pet as they get older.
Find dog-friendly cafés, restaurants or even shops to take your puppy out on a coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce your puppy to new sights and sounds scents, textures, and smells. This will help them to be more comfortable with the world around them once they are grown.
Use in a car. German Shepherds aren't generally comfortable in cars, so if you can get them comfortable with driving early on it will make your road trips more enjoyable.
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help them get comfortable in these settings as they grow older and is a an excellent opportunity to work on recall games.
Exercise
In addition to a good diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. It should be done in moderation, as excessive exercise can damage the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. For example running, jumping and playing a lot can strain the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This can cause issues as they grow older.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are prone to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is because they were developed to manage livestock. They will have a strong desire to herd and will be determined to finish the task.
They are extremely trainable and quick learners due to their breeding to be work-oriented. They are also natural guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and they are quick to act to protect their loved ones. This is why they make great service dogs, assisting the police in drug sniffing and aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other high-profile places.
One method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and the chance to meet other dogs. This is a great method to keep your dog in good behavior puppy and teach him basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur can be rough in certain areas but soft in other. The length of the coat may differ from dog to dog but it will usually be between 4-6 inches. The color will also vary from pup to pup, however, most German Shepherds will have dark brown or black coat with a white chest.